Wednesday, June 1, 2011

I have always been a fan of shopping at boutique stores, there's just something about finding the perfect gift or unique item for yourself that isn't going to look like shelf after shelf at big box stores.

However, I'm definitely not a fan of boutique price tags. Why is it that if I walk in and see an adorable embroidered onesie or a colorful piggy bank or monogrammed bag that it seems to cost three times as much as normal? Just because "boutique" is in the name of the store that means that my baby shower/birthday/bridal shower gift needs to cost an arm and a leg? No, thanks.

Instead, I turn my business to the sites that are able to consistently provide stellar service, high quality, affordable prices, and the same stylish products that are in boutiques. And one that we have known and loved for just that for quite some time now is the one and only Chic Monkey Boutique.

Started after the owner and her daughter searched for months for fun, bright, funky baby items and realized that they either didn't exist or were just too expensive, Chic Monkey Boutique has it all. Continually meeting the goal of being a "one stop shop to find affordable baby products and not feel guilty about high priced purchases," this is one boutique that not only offers fashionable items for babies, but for the whole family.

From the cutest baby gifts to gorgeous tutus to handbags and purses, there's just something for everyone. We have been fortunate to work with Chic Monkey in the past and time and again I have been highly impressed with everything about their stellar service, fast shipping and just how incredible the products were when they arrived.

And those products truly do look just as great years later! One of Chic Monkey Boutique's most known-for products are their handmade Signature Minky Blankets, which were the subject of a review that Little Sister B was happy to participate in back in February of 2010.

Available in a multitude of color and pattern options, these 36x30" blankets feature any combination that you would like of silky satins and soft, luxurious minky fabrics. Choose neutrals for parents-to-be that don't know their baby's gender, pastel pinks or blues to match a newborn's nursery or select a bright animal print for extra flair. Both the front and the back fabrics are up to you, so you know that each Minky Blanket is one-of-a-kind and made personally for your order.

In the 16 months since we received Little Sister B's Signature Minky Blanket, it has quickly moved into the status of her must-have possessions. She cuddles and sleeps with it every night and it still looks and feels just as soft and wonderful as it did back then. We couldn't be happier with this amazing blanket!

Then and now - where does the time go?

After the level of adoration that Little Sister B has for her blanket, I wasn't sure if even Chic Monkey could top themselves with an item that would get her as excited... but then a pair of Girls' Tickled Toe Shoes arrived and her interest level was yet again sky-high.

Hand painted with non-toxic acrylic paints, Tickled Toe shoes are made of quality canvas and will make any toddler smile with delight. Available in designs for boys as well, it's the details that go into making these shoes that results in them being so darn adorable and eye-catching.

Even though Little Sister B had been a part of picking out the Dalmatian style, when she caught sight of the "Dog shoes! Dog shoes!" it was all that she could do to try them out immediately.

Another win for Chic Monkey! Little Sister B couldn't get enough of her dog shoes and has been raving about them ever since. As I ordered them just a tiny bit too big for her (to ensure that she would be able to wear them in the fall as well), she has just enough room to be completely comfortable while still having space to grow.

The combination of the cushioned sole and great fit give me peace of mind that Little Sister B's feet will be well-protected while, for her, all that matters is that she can show off just how cute these shoes truly are.

One mom's vision of an online boutique where fashionable items for the whole family can be found at affordable prices (these hand painted Tickled Toe Shoes retail for $36) has resulted in a great shopping experience. At Chic Monkey Boutique, you're not just a nameless order number, they care about personalized service and you know that your complete satisfaction and happiness is their top priority.

With unique and adorable items that are perfect for babies, kids and adults, you can't go wrong! Heck, they like their customers so much that they even give the products away - head over to the Chic Monkey blog right now to enter to win an awesome Monogrammed Laptop Bag!

And, thanks to their never-ending generosity, one person will be able to select their favorite fashionable product this summer as well, because...

To enter to win: Visit Chic Monkey Boutique and tell me one of the adorable items that you might purchase if you win.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you head over to A Mom's Balancing Act and enter to win a $25 gift certificate to Chic Monkey Boutique over there as well!1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Chic Monkey Boutique on Twitter, follow the Chic Monkey Boutique blog with Google Friend Connect, become a Friend on Facebook and/or sign up for the Chic Monkey newsletter (found at the bottom of their homepage).1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the Fun in the Sun giveaways (Fun in the Sun giveaways ONLY) running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.3 Extra Entries if you have our Fun in the Sun button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.Giveaway will end on June 24th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to Chic Monkey Boutique for providing a pair of Tickled Toe shoes for me to review as well as a $25 gift certificate for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.